James named new Walla Walla High School head football coach

By Dan Thesman on Monday, February 19th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla High School’s new head football coach this fall
will be Justin James. He was one of three finalists vying for the position made
vacant with the recent resignation of Coach Greg Lupfer. James grew up in Walla
Walla and graduated from Walla Walla High School where he played football,
basketball and baseball.

Currently a fifth grade teacher at Sharpstein Elementary, James was also the
Wa-Hi freshmen head football coach this season. He has been a football coach
at Wa-Hi since 2009 in a variety of roles, including defensive coordinator and
defensive Line Coach. James also coached baseball at Wa-Hi for 11 years.

James said he will get to work immediately to begin charting a new future for
Blue Devil Football. He says supporting programs, increasing strength and
development opportunities and building relationships with students to increase
participation numbers will be focus areas as he begins his tenure.

“I will work tirelessly and devote myself to rebuilding every aspect of this program
into something that our community can rally around because they will recognize
the discipline, dedication, and determination we display on and off the field,”
James said.

Photo via Walla Walla Public Schools